“Act Natural”

A Lancashire business leader has called on the county’s business community to “act natural” as they head in to interviews for one of its leading awards.

Norman Tenray, chief executive of building supplies’ firm, OBAS UK, said the hundreds of firms facing the judges for this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, the BIBAs, had already achieved a huge amount by getting this far.

The awards gets its first round of interviews underway next Monday with judging for its Small Business of the Year and Service Business of the Year category.

OBAS UK is sponsoring the Small Business of the Year category which will be handed out at its annual awards ceremony in September.

Mr Tenray said: “The BIBAs’ application process is designed to bring out the best in Lancashire’s businesses, so by simply impressing the selection panel to make this first round of interviews is a major achievement.

“As someone who has sat on both sides of the interview table, my advice would be to act natural and allow the enthusiasm, talent and confidence which makes our business community so great come across.

“The judges have been specially trained to ask the questions which will allow businesses to shine, so do not go in thinking anyone is trying to trip you up – just go in there and show exactly what is so special about your business.”